Page 44 of Nocturnal Sins
“He does now.” I faked my smile and Erin stared at me for a few beats like she was trying to figure me out. Luckily for me, she didn’t have time to. Once Santana moved everything from the middle of the restaurant, Papa came out to introduce the cheer squad.
“Good afternoon everyone. We have the lovely cheer squad from Andrews High School here to perform for us. Half the proceeds from everything purchased today goes to the high school’s sports and activity fund, so eat up!” Everyone cheered then all eyes were on us.
I was front and center and I spotted a few familiar eyes on me. One set of blue eyes belonged to Brady. He was tucked away in the corner so I’m sure he thought I didn’t see him. I saw him though. I also saw Uncle Dom when he crept in and stood near the back.
Santana didn’t miss it either. I saw his demeanor turn icy. It made me throb and not just between my legs. My heart throbbed too. I loved that slice of darkness in him. It spoke to me on a deep level. So deep it made me forget the fucking cue to start the routine.
I blinked a few times and plastered on the smile I’d perfected my entire life. It was bright and upbeat and full of sunshine. Just like me…or at least what I thought I was like.
After seeing what really went on behind the walls of Papa’s restaurant, I’d become so intrigued I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I wanted to consume every drop of knowledge Papa had to offer. I wanted to devour it and use it in my own way.
I wanted in on the family business.
***
“You girls did great,” Papa congratulated me and wrapped me in a hug. Over his shoulder, I could see Erin slide her way over to Santana. My body went stiff as a board.
Papa set me on my feet then looked behind him to see what sent me rigid so quickly. Once his eyes landed on Erin grinning in Santana’s face his shoulders slumped and his eyes softened.
“Leave your brother alone. Maybe it’s good that he has other females in his life.”
“No,” I snapped.
“You know you’re his sister and not his girlfriend, right?” His words hit me in the chest and made me realize that although Santana and I were together under the cloak of darkness and secrecy, we weren’t together out in the open. Papa would have to be told with serious trepidation and care.
“Papa, I just don’t think one of my friends should be in his face like that.”
“Santana’s a grown man. Let him fend off the women how he wants…if he wants. Now, go change in the bathroom, I see Dom over there and his eyes are glued to you while yours are glued to Santana. Go, Sam.” He pulled me close and kissed my temple before sending me on my way.
I moved through my squad of girls and I could feel Uncle Dom’s greasy eyes sliding down my body. I grabbed my pink gym bag and tossed it over my shoulder before heading down the hall and to the bathroom. Air rushed out of my lungs once I heard the heavy thud of the door closing behind me.
I freshened up a bit then got dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a t-shirt. The moment I tugged on the bathroom door, it swung open and I ran right into Uncle Dom. His back was in front of me like a wall. I yelped a bit out of pure frustration because who the hell stands that close to a bathroom door but a goddamn pervert?
He looked over his shoulder and smiled down like he didn’t know I was plastered to his back like a fucking bug. He was watching me. He knew I was going to the bathroom. I wasn’t stupid or oblivious.
“Sam, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in there. I was waiting for the men’s room.” His eyes did that gross roaming thing that made me feel naked.
“It’s okay, Uncle Dom.” I forced a smile and tried to move past him. I wanted to be near Santana. Near Papa. Near anyone but Uncle Dom.
“You have got to stop calling me uncle. You can just call me Dom. You’re all grown up now.” He caressed my cheek and I slapped his hand away. Fury trickled into my belly like a creek determined to overflow and become a river.
“Don’t touch me,” I blurted with enough attitude to render him shocked.
“You know, I’ve always thought you were…absolutely fucking beautiful.” Dom found his stride again like I hadn’t just chopped him off at the knees.
“Yeah, she is absolutely fucking beautiful.” Santana’s voice was a surprise but a welcome one. I stood on my tiptoes and looked around Dom to see Santana standing right behind him and Papa was beside Santana.
“Jesus, guys. You follow little Sam everywhere she goes?” Dom grimaced as he moved away from me enough so that I could squeeze by. I went right to Santana’s side and he put a bulky arm of protection around my waist. My body hummed with pleasure and security.
“We still on to talk tonight, Dom?” Papa asked, his green eyes turning dark as moss.
“Yeah, of course, Chris. Wouldn’t miss it for the fucking world.” The tension circulating between everyone was high and I wished I had Santana’s gun because every thought in my head was screaming at me to shoot Dom where he stood.
It was more than him being a creep. Something unsettling took root in my chest and I couldn’t shake it. I wanted to see Dom’s blood. That was the clearest thought in my mind.
“Come on, Sammie,” Santana grumbled, tugging me away from the two old friends having a stand-off in the hall.
“Dom knows something is up,” I blurted. Santana pulled me out of the restaurant through the kitchen entrance. The noise of clanking plates and running water took over the noise of customers eating, laughing and talking.
